Sleep apnea treatment and its types, Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that occurs when breathing is interrupted or stopped completely for 10-20 seconds, causing oxygen deprivation and consequently frequent awakenings during sleep.
Sleep apnea often affects adults, the elderly, and overweight or obese individuals. It can also affect children due to enlarged adenoids and tonsils. It is more common in males than females before the age of 50.
Sleep apnea leads to irregular heartbeats due to reduced oxygen flow to the rest of the body, resulting in a feeling of suffocation and frequent awakenings.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is classified into three types based on its underlying cause:
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, occurs when the airways become blocked due to muscle relaxation at the back of the throat, thus preventing the normal flow of air in and out of the mouth.
- Central sleep apnea, a less common type, occurs when the brain temporarily stops sending nerve signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Mixed sleep apnea syndrome, a rare combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Symptoms of sleep apnea appear at night and include:
- Snoring, usually loud.
- A feeling of suffocation and frequent awakenings during sleep.
- Persistent insomnia and difficulty falling asleep.
- Fatigue and general weakness.
- Headaches.
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating.
- Depression and anxiety.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Some causes of sleep apnea include:
- Weight gain or obesity, as excess fat in the neck can compress the airway.
- Taking sedative medications such as tranquilizers or sleeping pills.
- Chronic heart disease.
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
- Deviated septum.
- Sleeping on your back increases the likelihood of sleep apnea.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Thyroid problems.
- Genetic factors.
What are the causes of sleep apnea during pregnancy
Several factors can cause sleep apnea during pregnancy, such as hormonal changes. Elevated hormone levels can cause swelling of the nasal mucous membranes, and high progesterone levels can relax the airway.
Weight gain during pregnancy can also cause shortness of breath, or the uterus can compress the lungs, reducing air volume and increasing the respiratory rate.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Treatment for sleep apnea depends on the severity of the symptoms. In mild cases, doctors recommend lifestyle changes to improve sleep quality, such as:
- Losing excess weight.
- Quitting smoking.
- Treating nasal allergies.
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back or stomach.
If symptoms don't improve, or in moderate to severe cases, doctors may prescribe other treatments, such as:
- Administering oxygen to help deliver sufficient amounts to the body.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which is the primary treatment for sleep apnea.
- Surgical procedures for enlarged tonsils, which widen the airway by removing excess tissue or enlarged tonsils.
- Prescribing medications to treat central sleep apnea.
Medications for sleep apnea
- Beclosone Forte nasal spray.
- Farcolin tablets.
- Butalin nasal spray.
- Mucophylline.
- Mucosol.
- Berotec Inhaler.
- Ventolin Syrup.
Complications of Sleep Apnea
If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can sometimes lead to serious problems, including:
- Heart disease.
- Pulmonary hypertension.
- High blood pressure.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Stroke.
- Anxiety and stress.
- Depression.
- Diabetes.
Tips for Preventing Sleep Apnea
The following tips can help alleviate symptoms:
- Losing excess weight.
- Sleeping with your head elevated to keep your airways open.
- Drinking plenty of fluids, about 6 cups a day.
- Reduce your intake of stimulants and caffeine.
- Quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol.
- Regular exercise.
Article Summary
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses or complete cessation of breathing for 10-20 seconds, leading to oxygen deprivation and frequent awakenings during sleep.
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. In mild cases, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes to improve sleep quality, while in severe cases, they may prescribe oxygen to help ensure adequate oxygen intake.